(MONEY Magazine) – I would like to congratulate writer Eric Schurenberg for an accurate, outstanding yet frightening article on ''The Agony of College Admissions'' (May). As a junior in high school I feel the tremendous pressure created by peers, teachers and college boards. My parents tell me to enjoy school because these are the best years of my life. If these are the best years, I don't think I can bear life after school! Karthik Ramanathan Cherry Hill, N.J.

There is no question that marketing techniques similar to those used in the commercial arena have been adopted by admissions officers largely in response to the declining demographic curve of 18-year-olds. I would argue, however, that the student is not victimized by the marketing movement; rather he or she is presented with many more options for higher education. Confusing? Yes. But admissions officers are counselors, not merely recruiters, and, along with counseling colleagues on the secondary-school side of this process, help students determine the right ''fit'' among the nation's 3,406 colleges and universities. R. Russell Shunk Associate dean of admissions Dickinson College Carlisle, Pa.

What an incredible lapse of common sense. Your cover for May ((illustrating the college admissions story)) was horrible -- no, make that horrific. Unfortunately, when the issue arrived, my nine- and seven-year-old children were the first to see it. ''Mom, what happened to this boy?'' they asked. They were very upset, as was I when I realized what they were looking at. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I'd have to censor a MONEY cover from my children. MONEY has always been appealing because its staff seemed to appreciate that young and middle-aged people with families have real concerns about their - financial futures. Why then would you suddenly decide to jeopardize that market by using such a grotesque and brutal image on your cover? All concerned in creating this issue should be ashamed of having resorted to such tacky sensationalism. Martha Eddy Cowlesville, N.Y.

-- MONEY has received 50 letters expressing similar concerns about the photo on our May cover on college admissions. Our intent was to evoke sympathy for high school students who, we believe, suffer too much pain and anguish in the course of the admissions process. As inspiration we took the early Christian martyr St. Sebastian, who was slain by arrows because of his faith. Artistic renderings of St. Sebastian's martyrdom, such as the painting by Andrea Mantegna reprinted below, became well known during the Renaissance. We very much regret the dismay the cover caused some readers.